Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Darren was enjoying a stroll through his cactus garden this morning, savoring the kiss of the sun and caress of the breeze after having spent most of the past few days indoors. As he passed under our much loved Mexican Elder, he heard a rustling in the underbrush and turned to find one of our pet turtles, awakening from a long winter slumber, searching for breakfast among the cacti and leaves. Then, glancing up as he turned to head back into the house for food, he noticed a beautiful roadrunner perched atop our rock wall, twigs and grass held carefully in its beak. Cocking its head to get a better look at Darren, it paused briefly before hopping into the tree, where Darren discovered the beginning of a nest in progress! When he came to call me outside, I didn't think there was any chance that the beautiful bird would still be there by the time I grabbed my camera. Not only was it still there, but it wasn't the least bit timid, boldly posing as I snapped a few pictures, hopping down from the tree, running through the cacti, hopping back up onto the wall, and darting back down again. I am just indescribably giddy at the thought of one of our very own state birds making its home here in our backyard!